The Jack Reacher books have become favorites for readers who love unique plots chock full of complex problems, fierce and calculated solutions, and a keen sense of justice in an unforgettable main character.

Lee Child, the author of Jack Reacher books, has currently finished 29 books in the series, and more are slated to come out in the future. To add to the popular collection, movies in 2012 and 2016 and an Amazon Prime Video series in 2022 expanded the fan base.

The Jack Reacher Book Series in Order

Readers who want to dive into this popular book series frequently ask where to start and what order they should stick with. It makes sense to read them chronologically by publication date. Each novel tells a new story set in a different US city or town.

	1. Killing Floor (1997) The introduction to Jack Reacher and the whole series.
	2. Die Trying (1998) A kidnapping and an FBI undercover entanglement.
	3. Tripwire (1999) From manual labor in Key West to a dead private detective and mystery.
	4. The Visitor (UK) or Running Blind (US) (2000) A killer much like Jack himself strikes two army experts.
	5. Echo Burning (2001) Jack helps a wealthy damsel in distress from a powerful and murderous husband.
	6. Without Fail (2002) Someone wants to kill the Vice President, and only Jack Reacher can help.
	7. Persuader (2003) Driven by the need for justice, Jack goes after brutal kidnappers with disastrous consequences.
	8. The Enemy (2004) This book set in an earlier time shows Jack still in the army when a general gets killed in a sleazy motel. He solves the problem while losing his faith in the military.
	9. One Shot (2005) The book the first movie was based on. A mass shooter asks for Jack Reacher, and the reluctant hero must answer.
	10. The Hard Way (2006) Ransom money tracking and family safety drives Jack from Manhattan to the English countryside.
	11. Bad Luck and Trouble (2007) An old army friend tracks Jack down to help discover who’s responsible for the death and kidnapping of Special Investigations experts.
	12. Nothing to Lose (2008) A sketchy traffic stop in the middle of nowhere leads Jack to a mystery he needs to explore. What are the small-town cops hiding?
	13. Gone Tomorrow (2009) Jack’s senses tingle when he spots a potential suicide bomber on the subway.
	14. 61 Hours (2010) A bus accident in the icy South Dakota winter leaves Jack stranded in a small town with strange things afoot. He has to protect a woman from a devious killer.
	15. Worth Dying For (2010) A powerful family clan gets after Jack, but he’s compelled to help discover the truth about a missing young girl.
	16. The Affair (2011) Another trip back in time finds Jack still in the US Military police, undercover to find a killer and help a beautiful county sheriff.
	17. A Wanted Man (2012) Picked up by three strangers while hitchhiking, Jack quickly discovers something wrong as police roadblocks challenge them.
	18. Never Go Back (2013) The second movie was based on this book. It tells of Jack’s journey back to Virginia to meet a woman who ends up missing.
	19. Personal (2014) The French president is under attack, and the US army knows only Jack Reacher can help figure out who did it.
	20. Make Me (2015) Jack’s next random stop lands him in a secretive town with 200 missing folks, a cryptic note to decipher, and a strange quest for answers.
	21. Night School (2016) Set in 1996, this novel explores terrorism, and a plot filled with purpose and a million dollars on the line.
	22. The Midnight Line (2017) Finding a West Point ring leads Jack down a trail to a missing woman amid crooked cops, brutal bikers, and more.
	23. Past Tense (2018) A threatened couple and Jack finding nothing but roadblocks when he revisits his father’s hometown. How do these stories entwine?
	24. Blue Moon (2019) Jack’s keen eye stops a quick theft but unearths more troubles between competing gangs and an old man caught in the middle.
	25. The Sentinel (2020) In Nashville, Jack helps out a group of cheated musicians and ultimately gets wrapped up in a kidnapping.
	26. Better Off Dead (2021) Helping a lady in a broken-down Jeep seems simple, but when she turns out to be an FBI agent hunting for her criminal brother, things get complicated.
	27. No Plan B (2022) Everyone thinks it was suicide, but Jack saw the mysterious man push the woman in front of the bus. He uncovers a conspiracy he has to solve.
	28. The Secret (2023) Another foray back in time to 1992. Jack is the army representative for a high-profile multi-murder case of investigators.
	29. In Too Deep (2024) Hitchhiking leads to kidnapping and some criminals’ plan to make Jack talk about things he wasn’t involved in. The tables are turned quickly as he takes control.

The Jack Reacher Short Story Collection

Twelve extra short stories about Jack Reacher offer readers a glimpse into his far past. Some start with his childhood, while others explore his career before becoming the wandering knight-errant of modern-day justice from the novels.

There are other books like Jack Reacher out there, if you want to know about ex-cops or military experts righting wrongs and restoring justice. None have grabbed the attention of the adventure-reading, hero-loving fans quite like this book series by talented author Lee Child. With such a long series already written, anyone who wants to sink deep into an intriguing, well-written world of problems, puzzles, and fierce solutions should get started reading the Jack Reacher book series in order today.

Some readers may prefer to start with the novels that take place when Jack Reacher was still in the army and continue through his life chronologically. That’s not necessary to understand and enjoy all the stories, however. Each one stands along and delivers an intriguing, impactful adventure full of action, twisted mysteries, and thrills along the way.

Besides Lee Child’s direct and effective writing style, it’s the main character, Jack Reacher, who really grabs ahold of readers and won’t let go. He is the ultimate modern-day knight, wandering the land and righting wrongs. His methods, not altogether pure, only add more layers of interest to the Jack Reacher book series.

If you’re a fan of gripping thrillers and want more series like Jack Reacher, consider diving into The Cartel Book Series, Jack Carr Books, Joe Pickett Books, The Best Freida McFadden Books, Michael Connelly’s Books, Robert Ludlum Books, or even exploring The Best Book Series of All Time. These collections promise action, mystery, and unforgettable characters that will keep you hooked.